As Kael approached Miranda and Thane, Miranda bowed her head, shamingly avoiding eye contact with Kael. Kael seemed unfazed, passing by her to stop in front of Thane.
"Thane, what brings you to my presence today?" Kael inquired with a gentle and calm tone.
Thane chuckled. "I simply realized it had been a while since we last met, so I thought I'd pay you a visit." Thane's gaze drifted to Miranda, who remained stationary, her head still bowed. Kael turned back and gazed at Miranda.
"What's your name?" Kael asked calmly.
Miranda was astonished to hear Kael asking her that question. Then she remembered the last time he met her. He didn't bother asking her name. However, the question also gave Miranda another perception that Kael might not recognize her as the maid he saved.
She humbled herself as she muttered obediently, "Miranda, your Highness." Kael stared at her for a moment without uttering a word. Then, when he was done with the stare, he spoke.
"Miranda, I want tea served in my room now," his voice commanded.
Miranda didn't think twice before exiting the garden after hearing the command. She left three men talking on a picturesque wooden bridge and headed straight to the kitchen, as a lower-grade maid making tea wasn't her work.
As she took in the bustling kitchen, she felt excitement and nervousness. The kitchen had a few people, and with a few people, no one would notice her. The kitchen had a strict hierarchy, and as a lower-grade maid, she was prohibited from doing certain things. For instance, she was banned from serving food to the Prince or even entering the kitchen unless a senior was behind her.
Miranda's situation was different. Kael had personally asked her to serve tea in his room. He could have his own reasons for asking her, though, in the kitchen, she had to find a senior to help with that. However, since she stepped into the kitchen, she hadn't seen anyone to help her. Every person she asked would push her aside without hearing what she had to say; they ignored her.
No one ever said being a maid in Maison Mirage Manor was easy. She decided to personally make the tea and serve it. Searching among the kitchen utensils, she took out the jug. When it came to choosing what kind of tea Kael liked, she remembered that Kael loved herbal tea. When she had everything she needed, she started making the tea.
After making the tea, she headed upstairs to Kael's room, as he had suggested. When she entered, no one was there. It was a spacious room with a twelve-foot ceiling and large windows overlooking the garden and foundation. In front of her, there was a door leading to the private balcony. The room had rich, dark wood paneling with soft, cream-colored walls.
The room had everything: a sitting room, a cozy reading area with a fireplace, a desk for working or writing, and comfortable seating for relaxation. Miranda placed the jug of tea on the table, walked to the desk, and looked at the books on the desk. The books didn't catch her attention as they were politics and military books. Although she was glad that Kael was preparing himself for the future, as the future leader of Valtorian, he had to be ready.
Then she left the desk and wandered around the room; the king-sized bed was very tempting. Unlike her tiny bed in her maid's room, the bed in front of her looked soft and comfy. Still, though, she dared not to take a step of laying on that bed. After waiting a while, Miranda started mulling over why Kael had sent her to her room. Could he have an ulterior motive with her? She thought.
As she was mulling, the door opened; a man in black attire entered without Abel. Miranda felt fear gripping her as she was alone with Kael. She bowed her head in courtesy the second she saw him. Kael did not say a word but went to sit on his chair behind his desk. He held up a brush, opened a new page of a book, and started writing. With nothing being said, Miranda pushed herself to pour tea into a cup and placed it in front of Kael.
Then she stepped aside, waiting for him to take a sip or let her leave. She breathed in relief when Kael reached for the cup and took a sip of the tea, showing a face of satisfaction as he put down the cup.
"Who made the tea?" He asked without looking up at her. "I did, Your Highness," she replied simply.
"It's good tea," he muttered. However, that wasn't what Miranda needed to hear. She wanted him to tell her to leave. She was exhausted, and she wanted to deal with her fatigue by sleeping.
"Have you changed your mind about dying?" The question startled Miranda as much as he expected. First, he remembered her, and second, she wondered why he had to ask a question at such a time. Miranda looked up at him only to meet his gaze.
"Yes, I have," she replied, ignoring his eyes this time.
"You give up too early," he muttered.
He stood from his chair and walked before her. Miranda's eyes widened in astonishment as Kael suddenly stepped closer. She felt rooted to the spot, unable to move. Kael towered over her, his tall frame looming inches from her face. His piercing gaze locked at her, sending shivers down her spine.
"He was so close," Miranda thought.
Miranda's eyes locked with Kael's as he announced, "In a few days, there will be a competition within the manor. Maids in lower grades will compete against each other to upgrade their grades. I want to see your potential to serve me."
Miranda's mind paused as Kael expressed his desire to see her potential to serve him. The competition offered her a chance to upgrade her grade as a lower-grade maid, and it wasn't a bad idea.
"So, you mean I should win the competition no matter what?" Miranda questioned.
Kael's eyes crinkled at the corner as he nodded. "I saved your life, and I want you to serve beside me," his voice was low and husky.